Charlotte Transit

U.S. Customs and Border Protection may be turning their attention to Charlotte soon. With the transit sales tax approved, attention turns to appointing members of the new transit authority. And the trial in the 2019 murder of Scott Brooks in NoDa continues.

Transit advocates pick up a big win, Democrats run the table in local elections, CMPD announces a new chief, and it’s nail-biting time as Charlotte F.C. comes home to take on New York City in the final playoff game of a three-game series.

What did voters say in this off-year election where some key local races and the transit referendum were on the ballot? What will those decisions mean for the area’s future? Republican spending in local races was up. Did it make a difference? We look at the outcome of the election and talk with former North Carolina governor and former Charlotte mayor, Pat McCrory, about a host of issues.

Mecklenburg County voters on Tuesday voted yes on an increase in the sales tax to fund a nearly $20 billion transportation plan that area leaders have spent more than five years working to win approval for.

In 2014, 61% of Mecklenburg voters rejected a plan to increase the sales tax by a quarter of a penny, from 7.25% to 7.5%. Most of the money would have gone to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Mecklenburg voters will decide on a referendum to levy a 1-cent sales tax to fund Charlotte’s transit plan. That tax would generate nearly $20 billion over 30 years for various transit projects. Proponents say the time is now to make this critical decision. Others urge a no vote because of who will be hurt by rising taxes. We look at both sides.

Robert Dawkins of Action NC on the pitfalls of the proposed sales tax increase to pay for transit and transportation

The Black Political Caucus on Friday threw its support behind a referendum next month that would raise the Mecklenburg County sales tax by one percentage point. The new tax money would go towards funding a $25 billion transportation plan building more rail lines, bus service and road improvements. Voters will get the chance to vote on the sales tax in the general election this November.

Interim Charlotte Area Transit System CEO Brent Cagle said he has tripled the amount of money the transit system spends on security since 2023.

The Charlotte City Council's Transportation Committee voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve a framework for appointing members to a new transit authority.